PoliticsNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Political newsNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94PoliticsSat, 10 Dec 2016 03:00:57 +0000Politicshttp://northernpublicradio.org
Associated PressThe recount of Wisconsin's presidential election vote is nearly finished. State election officials announced Friday that 89 percent of total ballots cast for president have been counted and 60 of the state's 72 counties had finished their work. So far, Democrat Hillary Clinton has gained 49 votes on Republican Donald Trump, who defeated Clinton by more than 22,000 votes in the state. The recount began Dec. 1. A federal judge on Friday refused to grant Trump supporters' request to halt the recount, saying it was nearly complete and likely won't change the results. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein requested the recount as part of a broader effort to recount votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states where Trump narrowly beat Clinton. Stein got about 1 percent or less in each of the three states. Stein says she wants to determine whether election computers were hacked.Wisconsin Recount Almost Done, With Few Changeshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/wisconsin-recount-almost-done-few-changes
91599 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 22:57:07 +0000Wisconsin Recount Almost Done, With Few ChangesDan KlefstadTom Vilsack knows the life-altering effects of addiction. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary watched his mother battle drugs and alcohol and nearly die. "She got introduced into this as a result of a surgery she had when I was a young boy," Vilsack says, "and that turned her on to pain medications." Vilsack's mom spent the next five years in and out of hospitals, attempting suicide, quitting and using again. "But eventually she found the strength, support and help to begin the process of rebuilding her life," he says, noting the experience taught him a lesson about never giving up on an addicted person. "I'm reminded of her every day as I listen to the stories of families who are dealing with a loved one struggling with addiction," Vilsack says. "Or those, tragically, who are part of an increasing number of families who've suffered the loss of a loved one." WNIJ reported on the current opioid epidemic with personal accounts of living with addiction, and losing someone toNew Opioid Treatment Bill Would Help Rural Communitieshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/new-opioid-treatment-bill-would-help-rural-communities
91394 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 10:20:22 +0000New Opioid Treatment Bill Would Help Rural CommunitiesDan KlefstadSome important events happened this week. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs. And President-elect Donald Trump continued to announce his cabinet picks. But a federal court ruling could have even more far-reaching effects. A three-judge panel ruled Wisconsin's 2011 redistricting law unconstitutional -- a move that could affect the redistricting process in every state where lawmakers draw political maps. In a 2-1 ruling, the panel said Wisconsin's districts, drawn by Republicans, unfairly affected Democratic voters. “This is a huge ruling," says Matt Streb , a political science professor at Northern Illinois University. “You have a court saying that partisan gerrymandering is a problem.” Previous rulings focused on gerrymanders affecting racial and ethnic minorities, not minority parties. Monday's ruling said the Wisconsin Legislature’s re-map violated the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. That’s because it meant to deprive DemocraticRuling Could Affect Gerrymandering Nationwidehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/ruling-could-affect-gerrymandering-nationwide
90924 as http://northernpublicradio.orgSat, 26 Nov 2016 12:10:32 +0000Ruling Could Affect Gerrymandering NationwideKatie FinlonIt's already time to start thinking about the next election. There are a few deadlines coming up for the Illinois consolidated primary on Feb. 28. Candidates who wish to partake in the coming election have until Monday to file. Those who want a public question to appear on the ballot also have until then to file a petition. The last day for a community to adopt a resolution or an ordinance for the public question is Dec. 12. Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Jim Tenuto offered this piece of advice to voters: “Contact your local clerk – village clerk, municipal clerk, library, whatever – and just ask questions,” Tenuto said. “Don’t assume things, because it can get very technical.” Tenuto says the last day to declare intent to run as a write-in candidate to force a primary for an office is Dec. 22. If there is already a primary election happening with registered candidates, the deadline to file as a write-in is Dec. 29. “Don’t underestimate the importance of these elections,”Deadlines Approaching For Consolidated Primary Electionhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/deadlines-approaching-consolidated-primary-election
90955 as http://northernpublicradio.orgThu, 24 Nov 2016 07:09:00 +0000Deadlines Approaching For Consolidated Primary ElectionAssociated PressFewer than 20 percent of the provisional ballots cast in the election two weeks ago by voters who didn't have the required photo ID were counted. The preliminary tally comes Tuesday from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The commission says there were at least 750 provisional ballots cast in the Nov. 8 election and of those 618 were issued because the voter didn't have an acceptable photo ID. Only 116 out of the 618 provisional ballots were counted. Most of them, 399, were marked as "deadline expired," which indicates they weren't counted. Another 278 were outright rejected and 224 had no information reported on their status. This was the first presidential election where voters were required to show a photo ID. Opponents of the law say it repressed Democratic voter turnout, particularly in Milwaukee.Few Provisional Ballots Cast, Counted In Wisconsinhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/few-provisional-ballots-cast-counted-wisconsin
90895 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 22 Nov 2016 22:13:22 +0000Few Provisional Ballots Cast, Counted In WisconsinAssociated PressA federal court says voting districts drawn by Wisconsin Republicans are unconstitutional. The ruling issued Monday is a major victory for Democrats who have been in the minority for six years and lost ground in this year's election. A three-judge panel tossed maps drawn by Republican lawmakers five years ago, saying they violate the voting rights of Democrats. The maps divide Wisconsin into 99 Assembly and 33 Senate districts. A dozen voters sued last year, arguing that the boundaries discriminated against Democrats by diluting their voting power. Attorneys for the state argued that the districts simply reflect that Wisconsin has been trending Republican. The ruling can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.Federal Court Blocks Wisconsin GOP's Redistricting Mapshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/federal-court-blocks-wisconsin-gops-redistricting-maps
90854 as http://northernpublicradio.orgMon, 21 Nov 2016 22:13:31 +0000Federal Court Blocks Wisconsin GOP's Redistricting MapsSusan StephensFreeport Mayor Jim Gitz says it’s time to make way for new leaders. He announced Thursday he will NOT run for re-election. Gitz was elected in 2013: he also served two terms as mayor, from 1997 - 2005. Gitz says he’s ready for a career change and had made up his mind before Tuesday’s election. That’s when Freeport voters decided to change to a city manager style government, making their mayor a part-time position.Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz Won't Run For Re-election http://northernpublicradio.org/post/freeport-mayor-jim-gitz-wont-run-re-election
90400 as http://northernpublicradio.orgThu, 10 Nov 2016 22:26:58 +0000Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz Won't Run For Re-election Guy StephensRepublican Frank Haney won the race for Winnebago County Chairman over Democrat John Nelson. With all precincts reporting, Haney beat Nelson by nearly seven thousand votes. Nelson led from the start and for much of the evening. He amassed a big numerical margin in Rockford but Haney built a lead in the rest of the county as the night wore on to first narrow the gap and then surpass Nelson. Incumbent Chairman Scott Christiansen did not seek re-election.Haney Wins In The Race For Winnebago County Chairmanhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/haney-wins-race-winnebago-county-chairman
90298 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 06:44:48 +0000Haney Wins In The Race For Winnebago County ChairmanAssociated PressDonald Trump captured crucial victories over Hillary Clinton in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, showing remarkable strength Tuesday night in three of the nation’s most fiercely fought battleground states in an unexpectedly tight race for the presidency. Clinton carried Virginia and Colorado, as well as California, the nation’s largest prize. With a handful of other states still undecided, neither candidate had cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. Michigan and Wisconsin, two Midwestern powerhouses that haven’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate since the 1980s, took on unexpected importance. Clinton’s campaign had largely taken both for granted, but made a late push in Michigan in the race’s final days. The uncertainty sent Dow Jones futures and Asian markets tumbling, reflecting investor concern over what a Trump presidency might mean for the economy and trade. As Clinton’s team anxiously waited for results to roll in, the candidateTrump Appears Headed For The White House After Winning Key Swing Stateshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/trump-appears-headed-white-house-after-winning-key-swing-states
90301 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 05:42:50 +0000Trump Appears Headed For The White House After Winning Key Swing StatesWNIJ NewsThe General Election is under way, and the links below will take you to the sites for voting results on each contest in each jurisdiction. Some links may not be available immediately if they have not been activated by the election authority. Click on the county or city name to view election results as reported by the election authority. More information on various election contests and referenda is available on our special elections page, Elections 2016. Illinois Boone County Lee County Bureau County McHenry County Carroll County Ogle County DeKalb County Putnam County Jo Daviess County Stephenson County Kane County Whiteside County City of Aurora Winnebago County Kendall County City of Rockford LaSalle County Wisconsin Dane County Rock County Green County Walworth CountyCounty-By-County Election Results In The WNIJ Listening Area http://northernpublicradio.org/post/county-county-election-results-wnij-listening-area
79445 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 05:03:22 +0000County-By-County Election Results In The WNIJ Listening Area Katie FinlonRepublican challenger Rick Amato won the race for DeKalb County State’s Attorney against incumbent Richard Schmack. Amato had about 60 percent of the vote. He says he is humbled by the support. Amato says he has been in the area since he was a student in the mid-1990s and previously served as assistant state’s attorney for the county. “Now, with having two young children and seeing how things are going in our county, I wanted to make a difference and serve our community, serve our victims, serve our law enforcement to do better and make it a better place to live,” Amato said. Illinois state representative Bob Pritchard was also at the newly elected state’s attorney’s election party at the DeKalb Moose Lodge. He says he thinks Amato has done a good job outlining how he would address crime and drug issues in DeKalb County. Pritchard retains his seat. He ran unopposed.Amato Ousts Schmack For DeKalb County State's Attorneyhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/amato-ousts-schmack-dekalb-county-states-attorney
90300 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 04:57:40 +0000Amato Ousts Schmack For DeKalb County State's AttorneyWNIJ NewsVoters Tuesday rejected all five local referenda in Winnebago County. The biggest margin was against the Roscoe proposal to add a 1 percent sales tax for public infrastructure. Almost 70 percent voted no. The Shirland Township Road District property tax increase was opposed by 66 percent. It would have added $33 to the annual tax bill of a $100,000 home. A request by the Hononegah High School District to approve $44 million in bonds to replace the storm-destroyed athletic field house and make other school improvements was opposed by 60% of the voters. The $25.6 million bond proposal to build a new school and make other improvements in the Winnebago School District also was opposed by nearly 60 percent of voters. In the North Park Fire Protection District, nearly 60 percent rejected a proposal to provide ambulance service. It would have added $133 to the annual property tax bill of a $100,000 home.All Five Local Referenda Lose in Winnebago Countyhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/all-five-local-referenda-lose-winnebago-county
90299 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 04:40:10 +0000All Five Local Referenda Lose in Winnebago CountyGuy StephensFreeport residents voted in favor of changing the city’s form of government from one run by a full-time mayor and city council to one with a city manager running city operations as chief executive. The measure calling for the change won with 53 percent in favor vs. 47 percent against. The measure had been backed by a number of businesses and the local chamber of Commerce. They argued a city the size of Freeport needed a full-time professional running day-to-day operations, and said it would free up the mayor and council to concentrate more on strategic planning. Opponents had said the change was unnecessary, arguing that a part-time administrator would solve the issues brought up by the measure’s backers. They also said it add costs along with another layer of government. Previous attempts to change to a city manager model had failed at the polls three times before.Freeport Votes To Change City Governmenthttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/freeport-votes-change-city-government
90297 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 04:17:40 +0000Freeport Votes To Change City GovernmentNPR NewsDemocratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth wins the Illinois Senate race, AP projects. She defeats GOP Sen. Mark Kirk, who made a series of gaffes in a race where he was already at a significant disadvantage, given the heavy Democratic tilt of the state. It’s an important -- but hardly unexpected -- pick-up for Democrats and gives them their first net Senate seat of the night. Democrats need to flip five Senate seats -- or four if Clinton wins the White House -- and this gets them part of the way there. It topped our list of likely Democratic Senate pick-ups all year. Kirk already had the dubious distinction of being the Republican who represented the bluest state in the country, and he won in 2010, which was a good year for the GOP and he faced a weak Democratic opponent, too. Duckworth is an Iraq war veteran and former U.S. Army pilot who lost both of her legs when her helicopter crashed. Duckworth ran a good race, but Kirk had a lot of missteps and gaffes, too. The most viral was in a debateDemocrats Get Their Only Senate Pick-Up In Illinoishttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/democrats-get-their-only-senate-pick-illinois
90295 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 02:42:05 +0000Democrats Get Their Only Senate Pick-Up In IllinoisWNIJ NewsTwo Democratic incumbents in the Illinois House are falling behind their Republican challengers in Tuesday's voting. In the 71 st District , two-term incumbent Democrat Mike Smiddy is trailing well behind challenger Republican Tony McCombie, the mayor of Savanna and a real-estate professional. With 97 of 106 precincts reporting, the results are: Tony McCombie (R), 28,921 Mike Smiddy (D), 17,345 And the Illinois House 76 th District race between Democratic incumbent Andy Skoog and Republican challenger Jerry Long, which was billed as a proxy battle for the continuing impasse between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan, is following suit. About 550 votes separate the candidates. but the incumbent is on the short side of the tally. Skoog, the former LaSalle County Clerk, was appointed to the seat when Democrat Frank Mautino became the state Auditor General. Long ran against Mautino two years ago and lost. With 67 of 120 precincts reporting, the countIncumbent Illinois House Democrats Not Faring Wellhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/incumbent-illinois-house-democrats-not-faring-well
90289 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 02:34:15 +0000Incumbent Illinois House Democrats Not Faring WellWNIJ NewsFour seats in the Illinois Senate are being contested in the WNIJ listening area. In District 25 , incumbent Republican Jim Oberweis has again defeated Democrat Connie Pierog, who lost to him by a wide margin in 2012. Pierog is a business consultant who has served more than seven years on the St. Charles School Board. Oberweis is the owner of Oberweis Dairy and various other businesses. With all 154 precincts reporting, the count stands at: Jim Oberweis (R), 53,111 Connie Pierog (D), 43,250 In District 26 , Republican Dan McConchie, a senior adviser to a procurement optimization service, was appointed to the seat in April and apparently has won a full term. He was challenged by Democrat Kelly Mazeski, who has worked as a product-development chemist and as a financial advisor. With 164 of 167 precincts reporting, the vote totals are: Dan McConchie (R), 46,741 Kelly Mazeski (D), 29,700 District 32 incumbent Republican Pamela Althoff, a senator since 2003, is handily defeating DemocratGOP Sweeps All Four Area State Senate Raceshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/gop-sweeps-all-four-area-state-senate-races
90294 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 02:08:23 +0000GOP Sweeps All Four Area State Senate RacesKatie FinlonThe Illinois U.S. House 6 th District race features Republican incumbent Peter Roskam and Democratic challenger Amanda Howland. With 13% of precincts reporting, the count stands at: Peter Roskam (R), 35,580 (59% -- called winner) Amanda Howland (D), 24,236 (41%) Republican Pete DiCianni and Democrat Raja Krishnamurthi are vying for incumbent Tammy Duckworth’s Illinois U.S. House 8 th District seat. Duckworth is running for U.S. Senate. With 35% of precincts reporting, the count stands at: Pete DiCianni (R), 64,663 (41%) Raja Krishnamurthi (D), 93,850 (59% -- called winner) The Illinois U.S. House 11 th District race is between incumbent Bill Foster, a Democrat, and Republican Tonia Khouri. With 18% of precincts reporting, the count stands at: Bill Foster (D), 27,853 (60% -- called winner) Tonia Khouri (R), 18,224 (40%) Incumbent Randy Hultgren, a Republican, and Democrat challenger Jim Walz are the two candidates for the Illinois U.S. House 14 th District race. With 14% of precinctsIllinois U.S. House District General Election Results In WNIJ Listening Areahttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-us-house-district-general-election-results-wnij-listening-area
90290 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 01:54:38 +0000Illinois U.S. House District General Election Results In WNIJ Listening AreaTony ArnoldWith less than 24 hours until Election Day, gobs of money continues to flow to campaigns for the Illinois statehouse. Only a fraction of races for the Illinois state House and State Senate are really competitive. But those that are, are throwing a lot of money toward TV ads. On Chicago’s Northwest Side, incumbent Republican State Representative Michael McAuliffe brought in $232,000 just in the last week. That’s almost $100,000 more than his Democratic opponent, Merry Marwig. Four years ago, when the race wasn’t nearly as competitive, McAuliffe brought in $2,200 in the final week of the campaign. A lot of McAuliffe’s money can be traced back to Governor Bruce Rauner. And Marwig’s getting a lot of support from labor unions and the Democratic Party.Money Continues To Pour In To Campaigns For Illinois Statehousehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/money-continues-pour-campaigns-illinois-statehouse
90244 as http://northernpublicradio.orgMon, 07 Nov 2016 23:16:00 +0000Money Continues To Pour In To Campaigns For Illinois StatehouseVictor YehlingThere is good news and not-so-good news about political engagement in Illinois. The good news is that Illinois ranked first for Voter Accessibility Policies in the study by wallethub.com. The not-so-good news is that the Prairie State only ranked 23 out of the 50 states and District of Columbia in overall political engagement. In its own neighborhood, Illinois fared about the same. Among states that share borders with Illinois, Missouri ranked 25th, Kentucky was 28th, and Indiana came in at 39th. But Wisconsin was just below the top in second place, and Iowa ranked seventh. Washington D.C was at the top of the list overall, and Oklahoma came in dead last. Rankings were based on voter registration and turnout, political contributions, civic education engagement, and voter accessibility. Illinois ranked number one in that last category. Illinois also was tied for ninth in Civic Education Engagement (with Wisconsin) and eleventh in total political contributions per adult. But the stateIllinois Is So-So In Political Engagement Rankingshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-so-so-political-engagement-rankings
89965 as http://northernpublicradio.orgMon, 07 Nov 2016 12:29:14 +0000Illinois Is So-So In Political Engagement RankingsWNIJ NewsIf you’d like to prepare for your votes in the Illinois General Election, WNIJ News offers these links to help you be informed about all the issues. Compiled below – county by county – are links that will allow you to view the sample ballots that may affect you. Following those listings are links to the campaign websites of contenders in state and federal primaries. Boone County One county referendum asks if politicians should be prohibited from taking campaign money from special interests they regulate. It also deals with increasing transparency for campaign funding, whether or not representatives and senior staff should partake in lobbying activities for five years after they leave office, and placing limits on SuperPAC-campaign coordination. Another asks about voter support as a county for legislative term limits and redistricting reform at the state and federal level. Another referendum asks if the Poplar Grove Village Municipal Clerk should be appointed and not elected, and aReview General Election 2016 Candidates, Ballot Referenda With These Linkshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/review-general-election-2016-candidates-ballot-referenda-these-links
90134 as http://northernpublicradio.orgSun, 06 Nov 2016 14:25:32 +0000Review General Election 2016 Candidates, Ballot Referenda With These Links